Automation has become a buzzword in the business world. It is easy to see why: by automating tedious and repetitive tasks, companies can streamline their operations, save time and money, and improve accuracy. However, not all automation projects are successful. Some fail to deliver the expected benefits, while others fall short of expectations. In this blog post, we will discuss the factors that can contribute to the success of automation projects.
Value: Lack of Metrics-Driven Approach
One of the most critical factors for automation success is value. A lack of a metrics-driven approach to problem discovery and building a solid business case can impede success. The absence of demonstrable impacts after an automation project also contributes to the loss of continued sponsorship and funding.
Before starting an automation project, it is essential to understand the problem you are trying to solve, what value it brings to the business, and how you will measure the success of the automation. This requires a clear understanding of the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be impacted by the automation project. By defining the KPIs upfront, you can measure the success of the automation project and ensure that it is aligned with the business goals.
C-Suite Sponsorship: Lack of Commitment
Another critical factor for automation success is C-S-suite sponsorship. When a select few junior leaders implement automation projects without C-Ssuite commitment, we will see departmental success with automation but never enterprise-level adoption.
The C-Ssuite plays a critical role in automation success. They must be committed to the project and willing to invest the time and money required to ensure its success. Without C-Ssuite sponsorship, automation projects can lack the necessary resources and support to succeed.
Alignment to Strategy: Lack of Focus
Automation must be aligned with corporate strategies that impact profitability, customer experience or revenues. Automation loses steam when it is not aligned with corporate strategies, as it fails to get the required investments of time and money.
Automation projects should be evaluated against the organisation’s strategic priorities. This alignment ensures that the automation projects will deliver the desired results and are fully integrated into the business strategy.
Technology and Architecture: Lack of a Holistic Approach
Another important factor for automation success is technology and architecture. Lack of holistic technology architecture that combines data, integrations, user experience, and automation-pattern-based standards results in standalone automations that often incur tech debt.
Automation projects require a comprehensive approach to technology architecture. This means ensuring that the automation fits within the existing technology landscape and is scalable for future growth. A holistic approach to technology architecture ensures that automation is aligned with business objectives, leverages existing technology investments, and is designed to be agile.
Change Management: Resistance to Change
Automation brings changes across people, processes, operations, systems, data, user interfaces, organisation models, and roles. When undermined, it ends with failed user adoption or backlash from IT and business stakeholders.
Change management is a critical component of automation success. It involves managing the transition from the current state to the desired state of the automation project. Without proper change management, automation projects can fail due to resistance to change, lack of buy-in, or insufficient training.
Process Excellence: Lack of Discipline
Lack of a disciplined approach to current state discovery, analysis, standardisation, measurement of KPIs, and designing target state processes is a very common reason for the failure of automations.
Process excellence is essential for automation success. It involves understanding the current state of the business processes, identifying areas for improvement, and designing the target state of the process. By following a disciplined approach to process excellence, automation projects can deliver the desired results.
Talent: Lack of Skills
Like most things, the success of your automation efforts can be impacted largely due to talent, or rather, lack of. Automation requires a particular set of skills, including process, technology, change, and program management.
Unfortunately, most companies do not invest in acquiring or developing these skills. This can result in an inability to deliver repeatable success in automation. It is essential to identify and invest in acquiring or developing the right level of skills across these domains.
In conclusion, automation can be a significant contributor to business success, but it is essential to approach it with a comprehensive strategy. Lack of value metrics, C-suite sponsorship, alignment with corporate strategy, holistic technology architecture, change management, process excellence, and talent are common reasons for automation failure. Addressing these factors can lead to automation success and a competitive edge in the market.
At Edge Tech, we specialise in providing the best talent to ensure automation success. Our team of experienced recruiters can help identify and acquire the right level of skills needed to achieve automation success beyond your wildest dreams. Get in touch with us at 01908 382 398 (UK) +1 628 254 5056 (US) or email info@edgetech.ai to see how we can support you.